Breslin Bound: Boys Report Week 7

January 22, 2013

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The fireworks flew in Michigan boys basketball last week, as three Associated Press top-ranked teams fell, albeit against others considered contenders as well. 

With boys basketball season now at its midpoint, it's fair to say doors remain open for more potential contenders to step in. See this week's list of high performers for some that could be in the mix. 

1. Detroit Cass Tech (10-1) – The two-time reigning football champ has owned the basketball court too since falling in December to Harper Woods Chandler Park.

2. East Kentwood (10-0) – The Falcons won 17 games two years ago and 18 last season, and will make a run next month to improve on those totals again.

3. Detroit Consortium (6-2) – Consortium is looking to be in the Class C mix and looks good to contend after knocking off Class B giant Detroit Country Day last week 68-62.

4. Wyoming Godwin Heights (9-0) – On top of being considered arguably the top team in Class B, Godwin Heights gave Class D power Wyoming Tri-unity Christian its first loss, 60-58 last week.

5. Detroit Pershing (12-0) – Pershing was here last week too, but it’s hard to not include the Doughboys again after they beat Detroit Southeastern 63-54 and handed Flint Beecher its only loss, 56-53.  

6. Munising (6-1) – Since opening with a loss to Gwinn, Munising hasn’t fallen and beat 2012 Class D Semifinalist Carney-Nadeau last week 40-37; C-N knocked Munising out in the Regional Final last season.

7. Frankfort (8-0) – Just 11-12 last season, Frankfort is only a few wins from besting that mark and looks good to accomplish much more.

8. Jackson Lumen Christi (8-0) – The Titans often have contended but rarely been favored during their decade in the Capital Area Activities Conference; they are the team to beat in the CAAC Gold this time.  

9. Warren Woods-Tower (7-2) – After opening 1-2, the Titans have won six straight including a big win over previously-surging New Haven, 58-54 last week.

10. Beal City (6-3) – The Aggies have won four straight after a little bit of a delayed start due to a Ford Field football run; last week’s 62-61 win over Leroy Pine River was the best win so far.

PHOTO: Saginaw (white jerseys) improved to 14-1 on Saturday with an 86-61 win over Harper Woods Chandler Park. (Click to see more at HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)

Be the Referee: Under the Bus

February 28, 2019

This week, MHSAA assistant director Brent Rice explains why officials usually are not the correct target for frustrations when basketball games get out of control.

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Under the Bus - Listen

It seems whenever a high school game breaks down in a negative way, the coaches, players, fans, and school administrators quickly blame the officials.

It’s easy to take out aggression on these nameless – faceless – almost inanimate objects. But sloppy or chippy play is on the coaches to control – not the officials – as they simply call what happens. Fans up in the stands then quickly follow the lead of their coach berating the officials, thinking they are so well-versed in the art of officiating – but often don’t have the guts to put on the stripes themselves.

Officials aren’t perfect, but often they have to clean up messes created by others during the game – the people who should really be thrown under the bus.

Past editions

February 21: You Make the Call - Listen
February 14: Because They Love It - Listen
February 7: Coach/Official Communication - Listen
January 31: Backcourt Violation? - Listen
January 24: Required Hockey Equipment - Listen
January 17: You Make the Call: 10-Second Clock - Listen
January 10: Tripping in Hockey - Listen
January 3: Sliding in Basketball - Listen
December 27: Stalling in Wrestling - Listen
December 20: Basketball: You Make the Call - Listen
December 13: Basketball Uniform Safety - Listen
December 6: Coaching Box Expansion - Listen
November 29: Video Review, Part 2 - Listen
November 22: Video Review, Part 1 - Listen
November 15: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
November 8: 7-Person Football Crews - Listen
November 1: Overtime Differences - Listen
October 25: Trickery & Communication - Listen
October 18: Punts & Missed Field Goals - Listen
October 11: What Officials Don't Do - Listen
October 4: Always 1st-and-Goal - Listen
September 27: Unique Kickoff Option - Listen
September 20: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
September 13: Soccer Rules Change - Listen
September 6: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen